Would you attend a former coworker’s funeral even if you never met them in person and didn’t know their family at all?

The woman in this story, is wondering whether or not she should attend her former coworker’s funeral. Her manager seems to think she should, but she has several reasons she doesn’t want to go.

Let’s read all about it.

WIBTA For not attending an old coworker’s service?

I work from home full time, and I have an old coworker, whom I have never met but spoke to a few times on teams who passed away.

This coworker was no longer working with the company and I only started with the company a few months before he stopped working there.

Attending the funeral would be inconvenient.

Recently, I found out this coworker passed away.

Although I’m sad for him and his family, there is a funeral on Saturday and I was not planning to attend.

I was gifted a Christmas Event to take myself, my 7 year old daughter and my husband to, and would then need to return from the event quickly, get ready for a funeral (and buy clothes for a funeral – I don’t own anything nice to wear and am financially strapped), and drive about an hour each way out of town in winter driving conditions to attend the funeral on Saturday.

Her manager is making her feel like she should attend the funeral.

I was asked if I was attending the funeral by my manager, and had mentioned that since I did not know this coworker, and although offer my condolences, I would not be attending – I also mentioned I have plans and the drive would make time tight.

I was guilted in saying that I should be going and that everyone else is going, and it’s a show of support for his family.

As much as I understand this, I do not know this man, I’ve never met anyone in his family, and I’ve spoken to him maybe a few short times on teams, and I have a young daughter that I promised to spend this time with.

She’s not sure what to do.

Now I’m wondering if I’ve done the wrong thing and should be attending?

I’ve never been to a funeral before and the thought of this is making me incredibly anxious.

AITA? Should I be attending the funeral?

I don’t think she should feel guilted into going. She doesn’t know this man very well and doesn’t know his family at all. Her family won’t even notice that she’s not there.

The only person who will notice is her boss, but it’s not a work event.

Let’s see how Reddit reacted to this story.

Here’s a vote for not going to the funeral.

Here’s an explanation of why the boss probably wants everyone to go.

A manager weighs in.

Unless it’s required for work, she doesn’t have to go.

Nobody thinks she should feel bad about not going to the funeral.

There’s no point in going to a funeral for someone you didn’t really know.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a daughter who invited herself to her parents’ 40th anniversary vacation for all the wrong reasons.